Names
2. Hadis name of Miswaak is SIWAK . (السواك)
3. Arabic name of Miswaak is ARAK, KHARDAL & SIWAK.
4. Hindi & Urdu name of Miswaak is PEELU, ARAK.
5. English name of Miswaak is MUSTARD.
6. Latin name of Miswaak is Salvadosa persica Linn.
Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ‘s guidance about Miswaak (السواك)
Arabic words written in below references are the words mentioned in respected Hadees. You can confirm the references of Hadees at sunna.com & Al-Maktab Al-Shamilah (المكتبة الشاملة) also.
Miswaak (Siwak) a mouth cleaning thing & pleasing Allah Ta’lah
1. Abdur-Rahman Bin Abu Atiq رضي الله عنه says “My father told me: ‘I heard ‘A’isha رضي الله عنها saying, (narrating) from Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم “Siwak is a means of purification for the mouth and is pleasing to the Lord.” : Reference An-Nasa’i: 5; Book no. 1; In English volume no. 1; Book 1, Hadees no 5.
Importance of Miswaak
2. Narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said, I fear that my ummat will not be able to do, or I would have ordered to delay the night Isha (salah) & to use Siwak (السواك) (Miswaak) (compulsory) before every Salah (Namaz). : Reference Abu Dawud: 46; Book no. 1; In English Book no. 1; Hadees no. 46.
3. Hazrat Abu Ummah رضي الله عنه reports that Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said “Use the tooth stick, for the tooth stick purifies the mouth and is pleasing to the Lord. Jibrail never came to me but he advised me to use the tooth stick, until I feared that it would be made obligatory for me and my Ummah. Was it not that I fear that it would be too difficult for my Ummah, I would have enjoined it upon them. And I use the tooth stick until I fear that I may make the front of my mouth sore.’ (I.e. my gums) (Or cause my teeth to fall out due to brushing them so often).” : Reference Ibn Ma-jah: 304; Book no. 1; In English volume no. 1; Book 1, Hadees no 289.
4. Hazrat Abu Saeed رضي الله عنه says that Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said, it is Wajib (واجب) (obligation) to do Siwak (السواك) Miswaak & it is Wajib (واجب) to bath on every Friday to every Muslim & to apply Itar (الطيب) if available. : Reference Bukhari: 880; Book no. 11; In English volume no. 2; Book no. 13; Hadees no. 5.
5. Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه says that Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said, if I would not have the feeling that my Ummah will not able to do Siwak (السواك) (miswaak), I would have ordered to do it before every Salah (Namaz). : Reference Tirmizi: 22; Book No. 1, In English volume no.1; Book 1, Hadees no 22.
6. Narrated by Abu Musa رضي الله عنه that “I came to Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم when He صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was using the Siwak, and the end of the Siwak was on his tongue, and he was saying, “‘A’,’a’.” : Reference An-Nasa’i: 3; Book no. 1; In English volume no. 1; Book 1, Hadees no 3.
7. A’isha رضي الله عنها narrated that “Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم would clean His teeth with the Siwak, and then He صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم would give me the Siwak in order to wash it. So I would first use it myself, then wash it and return it. : Reference Abu Dawud: 52; Book no. 1; In English Book no. 1; Hadees no. 51.
8. Hazrat Amir Bin Rabi’ah رضي الله عنه narrated from his father that he saw, Rasool Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم doing Miswaak during fasting (number of times). : Reference Tirmizi: 725; Book No. 8, In English volume no.2; Book 3, Hadees no 725.
9. Narrated Huzaifa رضي الله عنه says, Whenever Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم got up for Tahajjud prayer He صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم used to clean his mouth (and teeth) with Siwak. : Reference Bukhari: 1136; Book no. 19; In English volume no. 2; Book no. 21; Hadees no. 237.
Types of Miswaak
10. Hazrat Abi Zaid Al Aafaq رضي الله عنه says that Rasool Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said there are only 3 types of good (السواك) Miswaak, first is Eraak (Pilu) (اراك) if Eraak (Pilu) (اراك) is not available than use Anam (عنم) or Batam (بطم) ( Sanubar). : Reference Kanz al-Ummal: 26227.
Eraak Miswaak
11. Hazrat Abi Hiztussabaahi رضي الله عنه said that Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم gave him a twig of Eraak (miswaak of Pilu tree) & said to do Miswaak with it. : Reference Kanz al-Ummal: 26226.
Olive Miswaak the best
12. Hazrat Maaz Bin Jabal رضي الله عنه says that Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said the best twig (miswaak) is of Olive (Zaitoon) the precious tree, because it gives good smell in mouth, reduces swelling, it is liked by Me, & was liked by Prophets (a.s) who came before me. : Reference Mojam Ausaf: 678.
(Means the miswaak should not be longer than below diagram)
15. Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه says that Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said offering 2 Rakat Salah (Namaz) after doing Siwak (السواك) (Miswaak) is 70 times better than 2 Rakat (ركعة) (Salah) (Namaz) offered without doing Siwak (السواك) (Miswaak). : Reference Kashtul Khifa: 1399; volume no. 1; page no. 397.
16. Hazrat A’isha رضي الله عنها says that Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said, Salah offered after doing Siwak (السواك) (miswaak) is 70 times better than Salah (Namaz) offered without doing Siwak (السواك) (miswaak). : Reference Musnad Ahmed: 26340.
Benefits of Miswaak
1. It brings good smell in mouth.
2. Makes gums stronger.
3. Makes eye sight stronger.
4. Removes phlegm.
5. Reliefs inflammation.
6. It is Sunnah.
7. It pleases Farishtaas.
8. It pleases Rabh Allah (Ta’lah).
9. It is neqee (Sawaab).
10. It cleans the bowel.17. Hazrat Abdullah Bin Abbas رضي الله عنه says that Rasool Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said, ten benefits of Siwak (السواك) (Miswaak) are: –
: Reference Kanz al-Ummal: 26185.
Time of doing of Miswaak
18. Shuraih asked Hazrat A’isha رضي الله عنها what Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم would do as soon as He صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم entered the house. She replied Siwak (السواك) (miswaak). : Reference Abu Dawud: 51; Book no. 1; In English Book no. 1; Hadees no. 58.
Doing Miswaak after entering the home
19. It was narrated from Al-Miqdam – Abu Shuraih – that his father said “I asked to ‘Aisha رضي الله عنها ‘What did Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم did with when He entered his house?’ She said: ‘The Siwak”. : Reference An-Nasa’i: 8; Book no. 1; In English volume no. 1; Book 1, Hadees no 8
Miswaak at the last moment of life
20. Hazrat A’isha رضي الله عنها narrated that Rasool Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم did Siwak (السواك) (Miswaak) during the last moments of his life. (It is a long Hadees) : Reference Bukhari: 4449; Book no. 64; In English volume no. 5; Book no. 59; Hadees no. 730.
Time when the respected Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم used miswaak.
2. While recitation of Quran.
3. While entering home.
4. At the time of last moments on earth.
5. At Sheri.
6. At wake up.
7. Before sleep.
8. Before going to a journey.
9. After returning from a journey.
Contents of Miswaak
Rules & Aadab about Miswaak
3. The new Miswaak should be approximately 8 inches (a hand-span) in length.
4. The Miswaak should be free from dirt.
5. The Miswaak should be the thickness of the forefinger.
6. Before and after using the Miswaak, it should be washed.
7. The Miswaak should not be sucked.
8. The Miswaak should be placed vertically when not in use.
9. If the Miswaak is dry it should be moistened with water prior to use.
10. This is Mustahaab. It is preferable to moisten it with Rose water.
11. The Miswaak should not be used at both ends.
12. The Miswaak should not be taken from an unknown tree, as it may be poisonous.
13. All types of tree twigs may be used for Miswaak with the exception of the pomegranate tree, b) the basil plant, it can cause leprosy, c) the myrtle tree, and it can also cause leprosy. It, too, should not be used as a toothpick.
14. Preferably, twigs from a bitter tree should be used, for, it (wood from a bitter tree) cleanses the mouth and strengthens the teeth and stomach. Ensure that it is not harmful or poisonous.
Storage of Miswaak
2. Keep in a polythene bag or long container & keep in fridge at night.
3. Never keep bear in pocket, store in polythene bag or container and keep in the pocket.
4. Dip in rose water for some time daily.
5. Rub the miswaak on teeth gently.
6. Discard the miswaak if bad swell occurs from it or it gets very hard.
7. Never use other people’s miswaak.
8. Keep miswaak in a cool dry place or fridge.
9. Cut the brush end & make the bristles by cutting them with teeth.
Scientific benefits
2. Kills the bacteria.
3. It lowers the pH of mouth & bacterias cannot grow & multiple (due to Trimethylamine in it.)
4. Strengthens the capillaries, gums & teeth. (due to vitamin C, resins & Sito sterol)
5. Increases blood flow in the gums, make them stronger & diseases free.
6. Whitens the teeth (due to chloride & silica)
7. Good for teeth enamel (due to fluorine).
8. Makes teeth strong & durable.
9. Keeps the throat clean & free from infections.
10. Increases digestion
11. Reduces cough & phlegm.
12. Good in treating throat problems.
13. Its elements get mixed is saliva & benefits the whole body.
14. Increases eye sight (due to vitamin A in it.)
15. Increases intellect.
Science & Hadees regarding Miswaak
Scientific Studies on Miswaak
The Wrigley Company conducted a study on the Miswaak which was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2007. Wrigley’s research concluded that mints laced with Miswaak extract were 20 times more effective in killing bacteria than ordinary mints. A small testimony to this fact is that, after half an hour, the mints laced with Miswaak extract killed about 60% of the bacteria where as the ordinary mints managed only 3.6%.
In the August 2008 issue of the Journal of Period ontology, there appeared a study conducted by Swedish researchers on the Miswaak, as well. The study apparently found that suspended Miswaak pieces in a petridish, the medium for culturing bacteria, were able to kill bacteria that cause periodontal disease without being in physical contact with the bacteria. The researchers, however, suggested that the Miswaak pieces may have been sprayed with antibiotic gases, in their attempt to explain the phenomenon.
Yet another study, one comparing the use of the toothbrush and the use of the Miswaak (2003) can be reviewed currently online at the website for the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health (PubMed).
The study concluded that Miswaak was more effective than tooth brushing in reducing plaque and gingivitis provided it was used correctly. Similar studies found on the same website and elsewhere vouch for the effectiveness of Miswaak over toothbrush. “The miswaak appeared to be more effective than tooth brushing for removing plaque from the embrasures, thus enhancing interproximal health,” stated the researchers.
There have been plenty of published studies on the Miswaak and, in fact, entire books published which study its oral and systemic benefits.
With its strong antibacterial properties and perpendicular bristles, the Miswaak is a natural toothbrush, toothpaste and floss combined.
Conclusion of HadeesMiswaak pleases Allah, cleans the mouth, it has lot importance, so use it daily regularly. Clean the tongue also with it & can be used during Fasting. Use it when you enter your home & getup from sleeps. Use it of medium size. Salah offered after using it, is70 times better than without doing it.
